Why it Matters - Worship

Readings for today: Joshua 23-24, Judges 1

Who do you worship? Whom will you serve? It’s the fundamental question every single human being must answer for themselves. Will you worship and serve the Lord or will you worship and serve other gods? It’s also a question we don’t just answer one time in our lives. In a very real sense, we must ask ourselves this question every single day. Who will I worship today? Who will I serve today? Will it be me? Will it be money? Will it be success? Will it be a particular celebrity or political figure? Or will it be the God who revealed Himself in Jesus Christ? Who we choose to worship determines how we spend our time, our money, our energy, and attention. Who we choose to serve determines how we prioritize our lives. If we worship and serve the Lord, we will put Him first, others second, and ourselves third. If we worship and serve other gods, we will put ourselves first which results in all kinds of brokenness and pain.

The people of Israel faced this choice. They were in the midst of another major leadership transition. Moses was long gone and now his successor, Joshua, had reached the end of his own long life. Unlike with Moses, there doesn’t seem to be a clear succession plan. This makes sense on some level because the different tribes were now about to go their separate ways and inhabit their respective territories. They would each now need to raise up their own leaders. In his final address to the people, Joshua recounts everything God had done for them going all the way back to the beginning. Back to when Abraham and his family were still living in Ur. It’s a stirring testimony with one underlying warning…the worship of other gods. Terah worshipped other gods when he lived beyond the River Euphrates. Their ancestors worshipped other gods when they were enslaved in Egypt. They themselves were tempted to worship the gods of the different tribes they met as they journeyed through the wilderness. (Remember the incident at Peor that cost them so dearly.) And now they found themselves in the Promised Land where once again they would be tempted to worship and serve the gods of the Canaanites. So Joshua issues a powerful charge to them. “If you have no desire to worship the Lord, choose today whom you will worship, whether it be the gods whom your ancestors worshiped beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living. But I and my family will worship the Lord!” (Joshua‬ ‭24‬:‭15‬ ‭NET‬‬)

Choose this day. Choose today. Choose right now. In this moment. Will you worship other gods? The gods our culture lifts up for veneration? The false gods of other religions? The gods of our own making? Or will you worship and serve the Lord?

Readings for tomorrow: No devotionals on Sundays

Why it Matters - Borders

Readings for today: Joshua 19-22

We are living through one of the greatest periods of human migration ever recorded in history. The sheer numbers are staggering. As of 2024, approximately 304 million people live outside their country of birth. That’s 3.7% of the global population and a doubling of international migrants since 1990. 36.9 million are refugees and 8.4 million are asylum seekers. Much of the migration is due to conflict or poverty or some other form of life-threatening condition. The corruption and violence in some of the countries of origin is overwhelming and many of the migrants are simply looking for a way out for them and their children. However, things get complicated as soon as they cross borders. They run afoul of immigration laws. They struggle to find adequate social services. Adapting to a new culture and new language and new systems can be extremely challenging. Some suggest the problem lies with borders in the first place. They would prefer a world without borders or a world with open borders. Some flip to the other side and want to lock down borders. Deport everyone back to their home country. Still others want some form of middle ground between the two. It’s a complicated problem with no easy answers.

The Bible talks about borders. In fact, it is God Himself who not only establishes the borders of the Promised Land but also the borders of each tribe’s inheritance within the land. Why does God care? Why not let His people simply live wherever they want to live? Especially within the boundaries of the land He gave them? First and foremost, borders are essential for civic and social organization. It’s critical to know who owns what and where and who holds power in what areas. Without such clarity, there would be chaos. No one would know who is in charge. No one would know whose rules apply. No one would know who owns the resources in a particular place. Trust me, I’ve been in places where borders are not enforced and it is not good. Many innocent people get hurt as evil people take advantage of such situations to oppress and exploit the weak and vulnerable. Second, borders established a clear historical and cultural record. Each tribe had its own unique identity and that identity was strengthened by their connection to a particular part of the Promised Land. Finally, it served to confirm the fulfillment of God’s promise. God’s promises are not abstract. They are not simply philosophical ideas or concepts. They take concrete form in the real world. The people living in the Promised Land actually got to see and experience The fulfillment of God’s covenantal promise which is a powerful testimony.

Does any of this apply to today and the debates we’re having in our own countries about borders? Yes and no. Yes, all nations need borders to define their territory. They remain absolutely essential to establish some form of political and social order. Within the boundaries of clear borders, laws can be passed and enforced. Communities can flourish and thrive. Safety and security can be maintained. Borders also help establish a clear cultural and historical identity. Not that any culture or history is monolithic, of course. There are cultures within cultures and histories within histories but borders help define whose culture and whose history we’re talking about. At the same time, God has not made covenantal promises to any nation but Israel. No other modern nation on earth gets to claim God’s sanction when establishing their borders. And the modern state of Israel herself is certainly not beyond critique. Furthermore, as we seek to apply biblical principles to modern nation-states, we must remember God demands every leader of every nation establish justice and righteousness within their boundaries. They must seek the welfare of their people rather than the preservation of their power. Additionally, every nation should seek to establish good and just and righteous immigration laws so that those seeking asylum or seeking opportunity or seeking aid can come into their territory in a safe, legal, orderly fashion and receive the care they need.

Readings for tomorrow: Joshua 23-24, Judges 1

Why it Matters - Decision-Making

Readings for today: Joshua 15-18

Several years ago, I had the privilege of traveling to Israel. Among the many amazing sites we visited was Masada. The site where Jewish zealots made their last stand against the Roman Empire from 66-73BC. Once Rome built a siege ramp and breached the wall, they engaged in a final act of desperation. They committed mass suicide rather than submit to a foreign oppressor. The method they used was a biblical one. They cast lots. In fact, you can actually see the “lots” today. They look like dice. According to the Jewish historian, Josephus, the men chose to kill their wives and children first to spare them from enslavement. Ten men were then chosen by lot to kill the rest. The ten men then cast lots and one man was chosen to kill the other nine and the last man standing then killed himself.

Why cast lots? As I said, it was a deeply biblical practice. The priests in Leviticus cast lots to determine the “scapegoat” that would be sent into the wilderness. In the Book of Jonah, the sailors cast lots to determine who is the cause of the storm they find themselves in. In the Book of Joshua, lots are cast to find out who sinned against the Lord by taking sacred things from Jericho. And in our reading for today, lots are cast to divide the inheritance of the Promised Land. It’s a bit of a confusing practice. To a Western eye, it looks like gambling or a game of chance or luck. But for the ancient Israelite, this was an acceptable and normal way of discerning God’s will. They believed God was sovereign and the outcome of whatever lots were cast illustrated God’s control over events. They also believed casting lots eliminated the potential for favoritism. Finally, because they believed the outcome was determined by God, they accepted it peacefully without any kind of resistance or violence.

I don’t know many Christians who cast lots but we do engage in all kinds of different discernment practices as we seek the will of God. Just last evening, I gathered with the elders of the church I serve. We ate together. Prayed together. Studied together. And sought the will of God together. No lots were cast but lots of discussion was held. Lots of opinions offered. And now we will take what we discussed to prayer. We will specifically ask the Holy Spirit to guide our conversations and future decision-making. We will search the Scriptures together to test what we believe we are hearing from the Lord. And as we engage in these practices, I believe God will make His will known. No longer do we need to rely on mechanical methods like rolling the dice to determine where God might be leading. We have a much more certain and secure method. We have the benefit of the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit which makes all the difference.

Readings for tomorrow: Joshua 19-22

Why it Matters - Tension

Readings for today: Joshua 11-14

The Bible is full of tensions. Tensions the people of ancient Israel seemed to have no problem holding together. Divine sovereignty and human free will. God’s justice and God’s mercy. All nations of the earth will be blessed but Israel is God’s chosen people. Retributive justice and righteous suffering. Divine immutability and God’s forgiveness. Faith and works. All of these tensions and more are present throughout the Bible in one form or another. On the face of them, they seem paradoxical. Perhaps even contradictory. But God’s ways are higher than our ways and His thoughts are higher than our thoughts so it is entirely possible that what seems impossible to us is entirely possible for Him.

Take our reading from today. In Joshua 11:23, the Bible says, “Joshua conquered the whole land, just as the Lord had promised Moses, and he assigned Israel their tribal portions. Then the land was free of war.” (Joshua‬ ‭11‬:‭23‬ ‭NET‬‬) And yet, just two chapters later in the very first verse of chapter 13 the Bible says, “When Joshua was very old, the Lord told him, “You are very old, and a great deal of land remains to be conquered.” (Joshua‬ ‭13‬:‭1‬ ‭NET‬‬) So which is it? Did Joshua complete his task? Did he conquer the whole land? Did he bring an end to the wars of conquest? Did he fulfill what was promised to Moses? Or did Joshua fall short. Was there still territory left to conquer? How do we resolve this tension?

Some suggest Joshua had broken the back of the main political powers in the Promised Land but had yet to occupy all the territory. Some suggest it is the difference between a military campaign and territorial occupation. Some suggest Joshua’s conquest was theologically complete in that God had fulfilled His promise but Israel still needed to step into the promise through their faithful obedience. Still others suggest this is an example of the “Already/Not Yet” dynamic present in lots of different ways throughout the Scriptures. All of these are compelling on some level for those who feel the need to resolve the tension. I must admit I don’t feel the same compulsion. Over the years, I have become more comfortable living with the tension. I am content not knowing all the answers. God has revealed Himself to be much bigger and much grander than I could ever imagine. It is impossible for me to get my finite mind and heart around His infinite nature and plans. So I choose to trust instead. I choose to believe. I choose to embrace the tension because I have found it is in these spaces where God reveals more of Himself to me.

Readings for tomorrow: Joshua 15-18

Why it Matters - Sacred Space

Readings for today: Joshua 7-10

One of my favorite Bible scholars is a man named John Walton. He taught Old Testament at Wheaton College for over twenty years and is an expert in the Ancient Near East. He is also the author of a series of books titled “Lost World” that cover a series of subjects like Genesis one, Adam and Eve, Torah, and the Israelite Conquest. It’s the latter of those books that helped me better understand the Book of Joshua. Especially the parts where it talks about the stoning of Achan and his family, the sun standing still over Gibeon, and the series of conquests where Joshua “annihilates” the people living in those cities. The main point of Walton’s interpretive analysis is to read these texts not as history per se but as “theological historiography.” In other words, the point of the Book of Joshua is not so much to describe “how” the conquest of Canaan happened or to offer a detailed, blow by blow account of every battle, but to explain “why” the conquest happened.

Theological historiography is a style of writing that emphasizes God’s saving activity over Israel’s achievement. And the key to Israel’s success is remaining aligned with God’s sacred order. This is why the sin of Achan is so serious. He violated the sacred order by stealing something sacred - dedicated to God - and keeping it for himself. His sin creates disorder in the camp, desecrating what was once sacred and leading to the removal of God’s presence. Furthermore, since Israel as a whole exists in a single covenant with Almighty God, his sin corrupts the entire community thus leading to their disastrous defeat in the first battle against Ai. I know this isn’t easy to understand for 21st century, Western Christians since our identity is far more individualistic than communal but it would have made perfect sense to the people of the ancient near east. Additionally, God’s miraculous intervention to make the sun stand still and rain down hailstones on Israel’s enemies is another sign that God is the divine warrior engaging in battle on behalf of His people. This only happens after Joshua purifies the camp which leads to the return of God’s presence and the guarantee of future victories. Finally, the “annihilation” rhetoric used throughout chapter ten was a common hyperbolic device used in the ancient near east to refer to overwhelming victory rather than actual genocide. All this is critically important to understand if we are to discern the true meaning of the text.

So what does any of this have to do with us today? First and foremost, these chapters from Joshua should not be read as divine sanction for holy war. There are no exact parallels between ancient israel and any 21st century nations. Second, we no longer live under ritual purity laws. Those were fulfilled through the death of Jesus Christ. He Himself under went the “Herem” or “sacred ban” or experienced “annihilation” so we no longer have to. At the same time, our covenantal relationship with God does involve the same principles it did for Israel. Alignment. Trust. Obedience. Life just tends to work better when lived in humble submission to God. Second, sin doesn’t just impact us as individuals but has a ripple effect that impacts those around us. Finally, we must trust God’s sovereignty over all of life. Because God rules over everything, every square inch of creation is sacred space and our role as believers is to work to bring the alignment of all human society under His reign.

Readings for tomorrow: Joshua 11-14

Why it Matters - Memorials

Readings for today: Joshua 3-6

There is a cross near an intersection a few miles away from the church I serve that serves as a memorial for three teenagers who tragically lost their lives in a car accident many years ago. Two of those boys attended our church. They were active in the youth group. One of our pastors knew their families very well. Hundreds of people attended their service. There was even a flag football game established in their honor every year at Thanksgiving named after one of the boys. Every time I drive by that cross, I am reminded of what happened and I say a silent prayer for the families of those boys. Such is the point of memorials.

Human beings are big on memorials. It’s why we’ve built the Great Pyramids and mausoleums like the Taj Mahal. It’s why we’ve built memorials like the Washington Monument or the Lincoln Memorial. It’s why we’ve engaged in elaborate burial ceremonies and funeral rites over the centuries. It’s why we take the time to write down our histories so we can remember what took place and why it’s important. The ancient Israelites were no different. They wanted to make sure future generations remembered all God had done for them to bring them to the Promised Land so as soon as they crossed over the Jordan, they built an altar with twelve stones. “Now Joshua set up in Gilgal the twelve stones they had taken from the Jordan. He told the Israelites, “When your children someday ask their fathers, ‘What do these stones represent?’ explain to your children, ‘Israel crossed the Jordan River on dry ground.’ For the Lord your God dried up the water of the Jordan before you while you crossed over. It was just like when the Lord your God dried up the Red Sea before us while we crossed it. He has done this so all the nations of the earth might recognize the Lord’s power and so you might always obey the Lord your God.” (Joshua‬ ‭4‬:‭20‬-‭24‬ ‭NET‬‬) Joshua wanted to make sure the nation never forgot their salvation story. By setting up an altar, Joshua ensured that future generations would hear the Exodus story once again and praise God for all He had done for them.

Memorials are important for all of us. I actually know people who carry a small stone in their pocket to remind themselves daily of all God has done. I know others who collect special items from special places to serve as a reminder of a moment in time when God met them in a powerful way. I know others who keep a daily journal to keep a record of the ways God has shown up in their lives. (This is a practice of mine by the way. Highly recommend!) The point of memorials is to keep us from forgetting or taking for granted the many blessings God has poured out in our lives. Memorials also give us the opportunity to pass on to future generations all we have learned and experienced in life with God at our side.

Readings for tomorrow: Joshua 7-10

Why it Matters - Fear of the Lord

Readings for today: Joshua 1-2, Psalms 105

What is the fear of the Lord? It appears over three hundred times in the Bible, mostly in the wisdom literature like the Book of Proverbs. It is a reference to reverence, awe, and obedience more than terror but the latter is certain present as well especially among those who do not believe. Take today’s reading as an example. For the people of Israel, the fear of the Lord manifested itself in faithful obedience to God’s commands. For the people living in Jericho, the fear of the Lord manifested itself as terror as the news of what God had done to Egypt and other nations along the way became widely known. For Rahab, the fear of the Lord manifested itself as saving faith as she risked her life to save the spies who came to the city.

If you are like me, you may have experienced any or all of these dynamics over the course of your life. I remember being terrified of God on some level when I was younger. My experience of Him was mediated through an earthly father who was highly authoritarian and often angry and verbally abusive, especially when he was drinking. So when I read about God being the judge who condemns people to hell, I wondered if I was on that list. I knew I wasn’t perfect. I knew I was a sinner. And there were times I was sure I couldn’t be saved. But then I encountered God in a different way when I was in college. I heard the gospel for the first time and my fear turned from terror to wonder and awe at what God had done for me on the cross. After coming to saving faith in Jesus Christ, the fear of the Lord took yet another turn in my life, turning to deep reverence and a strong desire to obey His commands. The longer I’ve walked with God, the more my respect for His ways has grown. I have seen and experienced the consequences of both obedience and disobedience and my heart longs to be more faithful.

Where do you find yourself in your journey of faith? Do you find yourself trembling inside when you think about the judgment to come? Are you eternally secure? Do you know beyond a shadow of a doubt that you will be in heaven with Christ after you die? Have you given your life to Christ? Do you find yourself filled with gratitude and thanksgiving for what Jesus accomplished on your behalf? Has your fear of the Lord turned to a healthy respect and reverence for God’s law? Do you find yourself longing to walk more faithfully in God’s ways? These are important questions to consider today as you ponder what God might be saying to you through His Word.

Readings for tomorrow: No devotionals on Sundays

Forgotten

Readings for today: Joshua 23-24, Judges 1

“Preach the gospel, die, and be forgotten.” - Count Nicolaus von Zinzendorf.

When I was young, I dreamed big dreams. I wanted to be successful. I wanted to be recognized and acknowledged. I wanted to win awards. It could be at school. It could be on the athletic field. It could be in the community. Whatever I did, I did it for the reward. I did it for the medals and trophies. I did it for the accolades that came my way from my parents, friends, and other people in my life. Sadly, I carried this same attitude over into my life as a Christian. Yes, Jesus changed my life in college but this part of me remained. So I worked hard to be the “best” Christian. I wanted to be recognized for my devotion and sacrifice. I wanted other people to know how committed I was to the Lord. I wanted the ministries I served to thrive. I wanted the churches I served to grow. I worked hard to achieve great things for God. I began to burn out. I had a spectacular ministry failure. My reputation was shot. The life I had worked so hard to build came crashing down around me.

God met me in the wreckage of my life. He met me and He reminded me that every good and perfect gift comes from Him. Every blessing. Every achievement. Every success. All of it is grace. It is unearned. It is undeserved. He met me and He challenged me to recalibrate my thinking. Reorder my priorities. Instead of working so hard to prove myself to everyone, He challenged me to walk in humility. He challenged me to take the place of a servant. In short, He challenged me to become like Jesus.

Joshua, of which the name “Jesus” is the Greek transliteration, was a great military leader. Perhaps the greatest military leader Israel has ever known aside from David. He led Israel well after Moses. He led them to victory after victory on the battle field. Under his leadership, they conquered the Promised Land. They took hold of the inheritance God promised. They established themselves as a geo-political force in the ancient near east. It would have been tempting for Joshua to look back on all he accomplished and take credit. It would have been tempting for Joshua to look back at all that had transpired and look for a little recognition. As he recited all that had happened to Israel since Egypt, he could have promoted his own role in the process. But that’s not what happened. Joshua gives all the glory to God. Joshua acknowledges it is God who has accomplished these things. He was just an instrument. He was simply a vessel. A link in a much larger chain that will lead one day to his namesake, Jesus.

You and I are just links in a chain as well. This doesn’t diminish us or our contributions in any way but it does put them in proper perspective. The goal of the Christian life is not to be known. It’s not to be remembered. It’s not to be recognized. It’s to give glory and honor to God. My hope and prayer at the end of my career and the end of my life is that the name of “Doug Resler” will be long forgotten but the name of Jesus will be known by my children and children’s children. By the people I loved and served. By the people I met in faraway places who had never heard the name of Christ.

Readings for tomorrow: No devotionals on Sundays

Witness

Readings for today: Joshua 19-22

What does it mean to be a witness? And what are we “witnessing” to? For the tribes of Israel, the altar by the Jordan was built to remind them they were all part of one large family. Deeply connected by their common kinship with Abraham but also their covenant with God Himself. The tribes of Reuben and Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh were concerned that future generations might forget this connection and start to see the Jordan River as the boundary between God’s people and the rest of the world. They didn’t want to be left out so before they crossed the Jordan to take possession of their inheritance, they built a monument of “imposing size.” Not for burnt offerings. Not for sacrifices. But a witness to all of Israel that they were one people under Yahweh. Every time an Israelite would pass by the monument, it would “witness” to their shared history and deep connection. 

In the Book of Acts, Jesus calls us “His witnesses.” We are witnesses in our neighborhoods, cities, nations, and to the very ends of the earth. In this way, we are living memorials to all God has done. We are living monuments to a shared history. A common heritage. The deep connection we share as God’s chosen people. We “witness” to the glory and goodness of God. We “witness” to the unity we share as the family of God. Anytime someone “passes us by” or interacts with us on any level, they should leave having “witnessed” the mercy and grace of God and having felt the deep love we have for one another.

Ultimately, the Bible itself is the pre-eminent witness. I love what Joshua 21:45 says, “Not one word of all the good promises that the Lord had made to the house of Israel had failed; all came to pass.” The only reason we know this statement is true is because we have an accurate record of what took place. This is why we read the Old Testament. Within its pages, God “witnesses” to us over and over again of His great faithfulness and love. Even in the face of our sin. Even in the face of our rebellion. Even in the face of our evil. Even in the face of all our brokenness, God pursues us. God relentlessly chases us. God never lets us go.

Readings for tomorrow: Joshua 23-24, Judges 1

Choices

Readings for today: Joshua 15-18

God’s promises are always sure. Always true. Always good. In the Book of Joshua, God makes it clear that His great desire is for His people to dwell secure in the land He had promised them. At the same time, God’s people are not perfect. They are not faithful. They are not whole-hearted in their devotion. Their strength fails. Their resolve weakens. Their obedience is not complete. The result is an incomplete conquest. A delay in the fulfillment of God’s promise. Does this mean God has failed? Absolutely not! It means God has remained true to Himself. True to His plan and purpose for the world. True to the creature He first made in His image.

In the beginning, God gave human beings dominion over all He had made. We were created to work the “garden” that is this world. We were created to cultivate and help it flourish. We were entrusted with this responsibility. We were given agency so we might freely choose to serve God with all our hearts, souls, minds, and strength. We were given a will that was free which means our choices are real and result in real-life consequences. So when human beings in places like Israel and Gaza fail to resolve ancient tribal differences, it breaks out into open war. When human beings conduct experiments with dangerous pathogens, it breaks out in deadly pandemics. When human beings live beyond their means in unsustainable ways, it disproportionately impacts the global poor. When human beings funnel money intended for national development into their personal coffers, it destroys families and lives for generations.

Israel was entrusted with the Promised Land. Each tribe allotted a specific portion by lot. They were to conquer that territory and drive out the pagan inhabitants. But Israel failed in her mission. They were unsuccessful in their attempts to fully subdue the land. They allowed certain Canaanite tribes to co-exist. And even though they forced them to do hard labor, they were setting the stage for future uprisings and conflict. From this point forward, Israel would struggle to remain faithful to God. Struggle to resist the temptation to worship other gods. Struggle to maintain their control over the land. Struggle to rest in the promise of God. Again, this is not because God somehow failed. Not at all! It is Israel who failed to remain faithful thus setting a pattern for generations to come.

You and I are no different. Created in God’s image. Given dominion over all God has entrusted into our hands. Our time. Our talent. Our treasure. Our influence. How are we stewarding all God has given us? How are we laying hold of the promise of God for today? How are we walking in obedience even in the midst of our current cultural crises? The choices we make in this cultural moment carry real consequences for good or for ill. The agency we exercise is real as is the responsibility we bear for ourselves, our families, our neighbors, and the human race as a whole. What tone are we setting for future generations? What legacy are we leaving to our children and grandchildren? When they look back at this moment in history, what will they say? Will they see Christians responding with faith over fear? Peace amidst all the anxiety? Grace in the face of all the outrage and judgment? Sacrificial love in a world full of selfishness and greed? You and I will be held personally and corporately responsible for how we respond in this moment. May we respond like Christ.

Readings for tomorrow: Joshua 19-22

Inheritance

Readings for today: Joshua 11-14

I remember sitting in a class at the University of Colorado and discussing anthropology with our professor. The history of Homo Sapiens is a violent one. From the moment our ancestors began to populate the earth, they engaged in all kinds of warfare, especially with other hominid species. Some historians argue that violence and conflict is an intrinsic part of being human and there are very few periods in history where we haven’t been at war with someone, somewhere around the world. Perhaps this helps put into context our readings for today.

Israel, like every other tribal nation in the ancient near east, fought wars. They fought to establish themselves in the Promised Land. They fought to secure a future for themselves and their children. They fought to accumulate land and wealth and resources. They fought to secure the inheritance God had promised them. This is what every tribe did in the region at that time. It was either kill or be killed. It was a war fought for survival. In fact, many of the tribes listed in the Book of Joshua would return the favor and attack Israel at different points in her history. And while it may seem strange to us in the 21st century, it is the norm throughout human history.

God works through human culture. You’ve read those words time and time again on this blog. God refuses to work apart from the creatures He made in His own image. He refuses to revoke the mandate He gave us at creation to be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth, and exercise dominion over all He has made. He refuses to absolve us of our responsibility to act as His chosen instruments in the world. At the same time, He will not override our freedom. He will not force Himself on us nor will He coerce us into doing His bidding. He works through even our bad choices, sinful choices, evil choices to make Himself known. He works through our brokenness and corruption to make His will known. So even as Israel invades the Promised Land and puts entire cities and tribal groups to the sword, God is at work. Does it mean He approves of everything they do? Clearly not. But God is capable of using all things - the good, bad, and ugly - to bring about His sovereign purposes.

We still live in a world at war. Conflict rages all over the globe. Gaza. Ukraine. Azerbaijan. Turkey. Syria. The list goes on and on. There seemingly is no end to the violence. Man’s inhumanity towards man knows no boundaries. It is perhaps comforting to remember that God is at work even when we cannot see Him. He is at work even when we cannot hear Him. He is at work even when we cannot understand His plan or purposes. He is bringing His Kingdom to earth. He will set all things right. He will make all things new. And we will receive the inheritance He has stored up for us in heaven.

Readings for tomorrow: Joshua 15-18

Collective Grace

Readings for today: Joshua 7-10

Today’s reading is a tough one. Ancient near east justice was often brutal and terrifying and impacted more than just the individual who committed the crime. Achan broke faith with God. He took items dedicated to the Lord and hid them in his tent for personal gain. This was not just stealing, it was sacrilege. Taking what is holy and desecrating it. Notice the play on words in this passage. Devoting the spoils of war to destruction typically meant burning them in a great bonfire as an offering to the Lord. However, Achan kept some of the devoted things for himself therefore the anger of the Lord “burned” against the people of Israel. Furthermore, once the sin was discovered, they took Achan and his family and all his possessions and “burned them with fire” in the valley of Achor.

There’s another aspect to ancient near east justice that troubles us…the idea of collective guilt. Achan sins by taking some of the devoted things but the Lord’s anger burns against the people of Israel. Thirty-six men die in the ensuing attack on Ai as God withdraws His protective hand in judgment. Many more are probably wounded in the assault as well. So much grief. So much pain. So much suffering. All because of one man’s sin. And God makes it very clear He holds Israel responsible for what Achan has done. “Israel has sinned. They have violated my covenant that I appointed for them. They have taken some of what was set apart. They have stolen, deceived, and put those things with their own belongings. This is why the Israelites cannot stand against their enemies. They will turn their backs and run from their enemies, because they have been set apart for destruction. I will no longer be with you unless you remove from among you what is set apart.” (Joshua‬ ‭7‬:‭11‬-‭12‬ ‭CSB‬‬) Why did God not just kill off Achan? Why did He punish all of Israel for one individual’s transgression? How in the world can this be fair?

Once again, we come face to face with cultural distance. We have been raised in a modern, western context which elevates the individual above the community. We think of ourselves as independent agents first and members of a community second. When a person sins or commits a crime, they do the time. They pay the price. They suffer the consequences. Not their family. Not their community. Not the people they are connected to unless they were active accomplices. The ancient near east was a much different world. The people of Israel held a collective identity. They understood themselves to be members of a community first and individuals second. They saw themselves as intrinsically connected to each other so when one person sinned, all were culpable. All had a share in the guilt. All were accomplices in allowing such a thing to take place.

While we may not like the idea of “collective guilt”, we love the idea of “collective grace.” We recognize we are not just individuals with a personal relationship with God but members of a collective body called the church. So what we say and do impacts those around us. Our individual sin creates a ripple effect in the community that does have consequences. We are our brother and sister’s keeper. We are responsible one for another. We are held accountable by God on some level for the way we contribute to the overall health and well-being of those around us whether it is in our families, among our friends, in our neighborhoods, schools, workplaces, and communities. Our actions or lack of actions matter to God and they make a significant difference in the world. Thankfully, God doesn’t just judge us collectively. He redeems us collectively as well. 1 John 2:2 says, “Christ is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.” Thanks be to God for collective grace!

Readings for tomorrow: Joshua 11-14

Dependence

Readings for today: Joshua 3-6

I used to read these stories and marvel at the men and women of faith. I would marvel at their deeds. I would marvel at the miracles they performed. I would marvel at the things they accomplished. I’ve been to the Jordan River valley and cannot imagine watching it part. I’ve stood on the walls of Jericho and cannot imagine watching them fall. I’ve stood on the plain where Israel camped before going into the Promised Land and can’t imagine what it must have felt like to celebrate Passover with the Promised Land in sight. Here’s the biggest thing I learned from those experiences. God is the primary actor in these stories. God is the hero not Joshua. Not Caleb. Not even Moses. He is the one performing all the miracles. He divided the Jordan River. He brought the manna from heaven. He brought down the walls of Jericho. Israel did none of these things. They were simply the witness. They were simply the bystanders. Yes, God worked in and through them but it was all for His glory.

What marked Joshua as a leader? It was the same thing that marked Moses. He depended on God. He was obedient to God’s commands. He followed what God said and lived his life for God’s glory. He doesn’t try to assert his own authority. He doesn’t use his position to enrich himself. You never get the sense that Joshua has any agenda but the Lord’s and God honors him as a result. “On that day the Lord exalted Joshua in the sight of all Israel, and they stood in awe of him just as they had stood in awe of Moses, all the days of his life.” (Joshua‬ ‭4‬:‭14‬) It’s a powerful reminder to us all that we are to live for the Lord alone. We are to seek His will above our own. We are to humble ourselves before Him and submit to Him and follow His commands all the days of our life. This is what it means to depend on God. And we do this not to earn His favor. Not to earn His love. Not to earn our salvation. Not for any of the eschatological blessings God has to offer but simply because God is worthy. He is worthy of all our praise. He is worthy of all our devotion. He is worthy of our allegiance.

This maps out in a lot of different ways in my own life. First and foremost, it means I spend time in worship. Daily in my devotional time. Weekly when I gather with God’s people. Making worship my first priority reminds me constantly of my need to depend on God. Second, it means I serve my wife and children and extended family. I put their needs above my own. I make time for them. I try to be fully present for them. I pray for them. This is not easy as my natural selfishness gets in the way. Third, it means I dedicate time and energy and effort to serving my church family. I give them my best effort. I don’t count the hours. I make myself available to them whenever the need may arise. Finally, I focus on myself. I take care of myself. I take a Sabbath every week. I get 7-8 hours of sleep a night. I eat healthy. I exercise. I stretch myself intellectually. I work on myself emotionally. I want to be as healthy as possible so the Lord can use me as His instrument. This is what it means to live a life of dependence on God for me. What does it look like for you?

Readings for tomorrow: Joshua 7-10

Springtime

Readings for today: Joshua 1-2, Psalms 105

It’s springtime in the Rockies. And that means wild temperature swings. One day it’s sixty or seventy degrees and the next it’s snowing. One evening I’m sitting on my back porch and the next I’m bundled up in my house next to a fire. It’s like nature itself can’t figure out which way to go or what time it is or what it wants to do. We’ve sprung forward at this point and that means more sunlight in evening. The days are getting longer as winter begins to recede. But we still aren’t quite there yet.

Winter is not all bad, of course. Despite appearances, winter is not a “dead time.” It is simply a time where life goes dormant for a while. Trees that may look dead on the outside are churning on the inside as life gets ready to burst forth again. I think the same is true for us. We all have periods of dormancy spiritually. Dry seasons where we struggle to taste the Living Water and eat the Bread of Life. Sometimes we feel like we’re wandering in the wilderness and the journey can feel lonely and hard. But I have always found that if I walk by faith, these “winter” seasons pass and eventually give way to a new and beautiful spring.

What does it mean to walk by faith? Even when things seem so dormant and God distant? How do we best make use of the time we are given to prepare ourselves for the springtime God has planned for us? I love what Joshua 1:8 says, “This book of instruction must not depart from your mouth; you are to meditate on it day and night so that you may carefully observe everything written in it. For then you will prosper and succeed in whatever you do.” (Joshua‬ ‭1‬:‭8‬ ‭CSB‬‬) The reality is that our “winter” seasons can be a kind of Sabbath for us. A time for us to slow down and wait on God. The Bible is clear. God is waiting for us to turn to Him. To meditate on His Word. To talk to Him in prayer. To share all the fears and anxieties of whatever season we may be experiencing with Him. Nothing about our situation or circumstance has caught God by surprise. Nothing is beyond His control. Nothing that happens in our world today escapes His notice. And His promise is that He is at work even now, through the creatures who bear His image, to bring about His will in His way and in His time.

How can I be so confident? Read Psalms 105. Look at what God has done! Remember His mighty acts! Remember His saving ways! God is deliverer. God is rescuer. God is savior. God will never leave or forsake His people. God will never distance Himself from our pain. God has a “Promised Land” ready for all those who call on His name. This is the truth of the gospel, friends! And it forms the foundation of our hope in fearful and chaotic times.

You know, I imagine Joshua felt much the same way we do today. As he stared across the Jordan River into the Promised Land, he knew there were no guarantees. He knew the future would be hard. He knew the people of Israel simply didn’t have the strength or the fortitude to make it on their own. Their only hope was God. Their only path to victory was with God. Their only way forward was to trust God. So he pointed them to their history. Drew on the experiences of their forefathers and mothers. Encouraged them with the testimonies of God’s goodness from their past. And this gave them the courage to face the challenges of their day. As you consider the current challenges you face in your life or we face in our world, what brings you hope? What testimonies do you lean on during these difficult times? How are you turning to God’s Word to find courage and strength as we wait for spring?

Readings for tomorrow: No devotionals on Sundays

The Danger of False Assumptions

Readings for today: Joshua 22-24, Psalms 69

Over the years, I have seen so many relationships and organizations fall apart due to false assumptions. An individual or group of people gets only part of the story and chooses to act on it rather than wait for all the information to come in. They grow impatient or succumb to the tyranny of the urgent and don’t take the time to make sure they talk to all parties involved. They tend to believe the worst rather than the best about others and the results are quite often disastrous. We see the same dynamic on display in today’s reading from Joshua. Remember, the tribes have been fighting side by side for some time now. They have bled together for the same cause on the same field against common enemies. One would think they would have built up a ton of trust by this point and yet it so easily breaks down. “Then the Israelites heard (about the altar) and said, “Look, the Reubenites, Gadites, and half the tribe of Manasseh have built an altar on the frontier of the land of Canaan at the region of the Jordan, on the Israelite side.” When the Israelites heard this, the entire Israelite community assembled at Shiloh to go to war against them.” (Joshua‬ ‭22‬:‭11‬-‭12‬ ‭CSB‬‬)

Thankfully, cooler heads prevailed and a disaster was prevented but how many times have we seen this happen in our own lives? How many times do people tell themselves only part of the story and therefore make decisions on incomplete information? How many times do we believe the worst about those around us rather than assume the best? How many times do we rush to judgment rather than waiting to get all the information? This is a huge problem in our world today and in the church today. It’s why I love Proverbs 18:17 so much. “The first to state his case seems right until another comes and cross-examines him.” (Proverbs‬ ‭18‬:‭17‬ ‭CSB‬‬) Imagine what might change if we would simply put this verse into regular practice?

Last evening, I had dinner with some dear friends. They work for a global ministry with a strong track record of success. They themselves have served this organization for decades and have produced an incredible amount of gospel fruit over that time. They’ve built up a network of supporters over the years and do a great job of staying in regular communication with them. They are accessible. They are available. They are easy to talk to and ask questions if there are ever any concerns. However, the global ministry they work for launched an initiative that generated a great deal of controversy. Though they quickly pivoted and shuttered the ministry, the fallout was significant. My friends shared with me that they lost some supporters who had been with them for years. Many of these folks didn’t reach out to get my friends’ side of the story but simply dropped them. I see this all the time and the negative impact on the Kingdom is huge.

In the case cited above, a strong leader named Phineas intervened to save the day. He stepped in to make sure the Reubenites, Gadites, and half-tribe of Manasseh got the chance to tell their side of the story. As a result, the very altar that was the source of the conflict became a physical witness to their unity. “So the Reubenites and Gadites named the altar: It is a witness between us that the Lord is God.” (Joshua‬ ‭22‬:‭34‬ ‭CSB‬‬) What about you? How can you lead in such a way that everyone gets a chance to present their side of the story? It could be in your marriage or family, among your friends or neighbors, at work with colleagues or fellow students at your school. How can you make sure we avoid the dangers of false assumptions today?

Readings for tomorrow: Judges 1-3, Psalms 70 (No devotionals on Sundays)

The Promised Land

Readings for today: Joshua 13-21, Psalms 68

It’s tempting to dismiss today’s reading or just skim it over without feeling like there’s anything to take away. However, that would be a mistake. This passage is extremely relevant in our world today as it forms the basis for the claim of modern day Israel to the land. This is at the heart of the conflict between the Jewish and Palestinian people. Both lay ancestral claim to the land. Both believe they have a divine right to live there. Both believe the other has stolen what is rightfully theirs. When I was in Israel a few years back, I had the opportunity to spend a great deal of time with our guide who was Arab by ethnicity, Palestinian by nationality, Israeli by citizenship, and Christian by faith. He offered a unique perspective on this issue and I learned a great deal from him. For example, he shared with me that many Palestinians still carry the keys to their homes from which they were displaced decades ago in the Arab-Israeli War of 1948. At the same time, he shared with me that many of his Israeli friends have lost so many loved ones over the years in the many different battles initiated by the surrounding Arab nations. He expressed great frustration that the leaders of both the Palestinian Authority and the Israeli government both seemed unwilling to make the compromises necessary to make peace and he lamented the many, many lost opportunities over the years.

Regardless of your point of view on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the most important takeaway from today’s reading comes at the very end of chapter 21. “So the Lord gave Israel all the land he had sworn to give their ancestors, and they took possession of it and settled there. The Lord gave them rest on every side according to all he had sworn to their ancestors. None of their enemies were able to stand against them, for the Lord handed over all their enemies to them. None of the good promises the Lord had made to the house of Israel failed. Everything was fulfilled.” (Joshua‬ ‭21‬:‭43‬-‭45‬ ‭CSB‬‬) Now, once again, this is a bit of ancient near east hyperbole. Joshua wants to make it clear God is always faithful. He never fails to deliver on what He promises. At the same time, the people of Israel actually don’t quite complete the conquest in the way God had designed as the Book of Judges will make clear. And this reinforces yet again the biblical truth that God always works His perfect sovereign will through His imperfect people. He simply refuses to back off the creation mandate (Genesis 1:28) and work apart from His chosen people.

God is still working through His imperfect chosen people. And the borders of the “Promised Land” have now been expanded to include the entire world. Jesus promises His followers will inherit the earth. His Kingdom will encompass all of creation. Our legacy will be eternal. And He calls us and sends us to take His gospel to the very ends of the earth, starting right outside our front door.

Readings for tomorrow: Joshua 22-24, Psalms 69

Fear of the Lord

Readings for today: Joshua 9-12, Psalms 67

“Your servants have come from a faraway land because of the reputation of the Lord your God. For we have heard of his fame, and all that he did in Egypt, and all that he did to the two Amorite kings beyond the Jordan — King Sihon of Heshbon and King Og of Bashan, who was in Ashtaroth. So our elders and all the inhabitants of our land told us, ‘Take provisions with you for the journey; go and meet them and say, “We are your servants. Please make a treaty with us.” (Joshua‬ ‭9‬:‭9‬-‭11‬ ‭CSB‬‬)

The fear of the Lord is a real thing. It was real in ancient Israel. The inhabitants of the Promised Land heard about what God had done for His people in Egypt. The plagues. The parting of the Red Sea. The destruction of the Egyptian army. News traveled fast. The city of Jericho trembled when they saw Israel across the Jordan River valley. The powerful Canaanite tribes banded together to try to destroy Israel before she could gain a foothold. Even major city-states like Gibeon which was full of mighty warriors sued for peace. The Book of Joshua is the story of Israel’s conquest. It catalogues all the major battles that took place. It lists all the major cities that were taken. And it names all the kings who fell before them. It also begs the question…how could the same God of the New Testament, the same God of love, be the same God who directs His people into battle?

God is a God of justice and mercy. He is a God of judgment and compassion. He is a God of righteousness and holiness as well as love and grace. We fear the Lord because we know He will by no means clear the guilty. He will judge the wicked for their deeds. The Canaanite tribes engaged in all kinds of evil. They sacrificed children to their pagan gods. They engaged in all kinds of sexual immorality. Their societies were full of injustice and oppression. They were tribes with a brutal reputation and God rightly judged them for their sins. Not only that but He sends His people as the instrument of such judgment.

Why does He not do the same today? He has. God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. The same God who destroyed the cities of Jericho and Ai and many others in righteous judgment is the same God who poured out His judgment on His only begotten Son on the cross. Jesus took the judgment we deserved. He was put under the same holy ban that the Canaanites suffered. And this is why we should fear the Lord even more. Not because we’re scared or terrified but because we are in awe of what He has done for us in taking our place. God endured what we could not so that we could enjoy what we could never earn…His amazing grace and love.

Readings for tomorrow: Joshua 13-21, Psalms 68

Taking Sides

Readings for today: Joshua 5-8, Psalms 66

“When Joshua was near Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with a drawn sword in his hand. Joshua approached him and asked, “Are you for us or for our enemies?” “Neither,” he replied. “I have now come as commander of the Lord’s army.” Then Joshua bowed with his face to the ground in homage and asked him, “What does my Lord want to say to his servant?” (Joshua‬ ‭5‬:‭13‬-‭14‬ ‭CSB‬‬)

Whose side is God on? A college football team wins the national championship. Music is playing. Students rush the field. Confetti flies. A reporter catches up with the star of the game and asks, “How’d you do it?” “God was with us…” he replies. Truth? Does God really pick sides in football games?

Whose side is God on? A piece of legislation is proposed. A scandal hits the administration. The next election is on the line. Both political parties claim the sanction of God. Both claim to better represent His will. Both claim the moral high ground and argue their platform is more pleasing to God. After the results are in, the winner basks in the glory of victory often proclaiming, “God was with us tonight!” Truth? Does God take sides in our morally bankrupt political system? Does He go with the lesser of two evils?

Whose side is God on? Harsh words are said. Feelings get hurt. A relationship fractures. Friends rush to either side for support. Quick to justify the actions of the one they care about. Quick to dismiss the one who has hurt their friend and loved one. Surely God is on our side, right? Surely He has seen the hurt we’ve experienced? Truth? Does God bless our brokenness and take sides in a divorce? Or a falling out between friends?

Whose side is God on? Joshua was standing out by Jericho. Scouting the opposition. Looking up at those formidable walls. Wondering how he’s going to win a victory. Suddenly, an angel appears. Not a baby wearing diapers playing a harp. Not some precious moments cherub with the rosy cheeks. A terrifyingly powerful being wearing armor and carrying a monstrous sword. “Whose side are you on?” Joshua asks. It’s the most natural question in the world. Are you for us or against us? If you’re for us, we’ll easily win the victory. If you’re against us, we will clearly suffer defeat. But the angel hasn’t come to “take sides.” This isn’t about God blessing the work of Joshua’s hands. This is about Joshua and Israel taking the Lord’s side. Joshua falls down in worship. He humbles Himself before the angel. He submits himself to the Lord. Now he’s ready to take the city.

We spend so much time wondering whose side God is on when the reality is we should be trying to figure out how to get on His side. We talk about “being on the wrong side of history.” We fear being on the losing side of an argument or a game or an election. We struggle when we see relationships around us break up and we try to figure out who’s wrong so we can cast blame. The reality is we are always wrong. Only God is right. Only God is faithful. Only God is true. Our cause is never pure. Never truly just. Never holy. Rather than spend so much time trying to figure out how we can get God on our side, we should be spending that time in prayer and meditation on God’s Word so we can get on His side.

Readings for tomorrow: Joshua 9-12, Psalms 67

Perseverance

Readings for today: Joshua 23-24, Judges 1

One of the more challenging aspects to the Christian faith is perseverance. Remaining faithful to God over the long haul. Staying obedient to His will. Living a life of repentance before Him. It’s far too easy to start to coast. Far too tempting to rely on our own strength. Our own gifts. Our own wisdom. When we start to trust ourselves more than God, the horizons of our life begin to shrink. What was once possible with God becomes impossible for us. There are simply too many obstacles. Too many reasons why we can’t or shouldn’t or won’t. This is nothing new. Consider these words from Joshua to Israel at the end of his life…

“Now, stay strong and steady. Obediently do everything written in the Book of The Revelation of Moses—don’t miss a detail. Don’t get mixed up with the nations that are still around. Don’t so much as speak the names of their gods or swear by them. And by all means don’t worship or pray to them. Hold tight to God, your God, just as you’ve done up to now.” (Joshua 23:6-8 MSG) 

Joshua understood the fickleness of human nature. He knew the people of Israel would struggle to remain faithful in the years ahead. He knew there was still much of the land to conquer. Much of their inheritance to claim. He knew it would be a fight and he knew how easy it would be to settle. To fall into the trap that they had done enough. To fail to complete the conquest of the Promised Land God had given them. To allow the pagan nations to remain and begin to accommodate their pagan ways. Joshua charges Israel to set a different course. Choose this day whom you will serve. Either the pagan gods of the lands you came from/are going to or the God who delivered you from slavery and bondage in Egypt. His words are worth reading again…

 “So now: Fear God. Worship him in total commitment. Get rid of the gods your ancestors worshiped on the far side of The River (the Euphrates) and in Egypt. You, worship God. If you decide that it’s a bad thing to worship God, then choose a god you’d rather serve—and do it today. Choose one of the gods your ancestors worshiped from the country beyond The River, or one of the gods of the Amorites, on whose land you’re now living. As for me and my family, we’ll worship God.” (Joshua 24:14-15 MSG)

Every day we are faced with this same choice. Either we will worship the gods of capitalism, materialism, fundamentalism, or whatever “ism” you want to insert or we will worship the True and Living God who revealed Himself fully and completely in Jesus Christ and delivered us from the powers of sin and death. Either we will obey our own wants and desires, do what seems right in our own eyes, rely on our own strength and wisdom to make our way in the world or we will seek the Lord with our whole heart, obediently walk in His way, believe in His truth, and receive His life. Take some time today to prayerfully reflect on your life and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you the choice you have made.

Readings for tomorrow: None

We Need A Witness

Readings for today: Joshua 19-22

“We built this altar as a witness between us and you and our children coming after us, a witness to the Altar where we worship God in his Sacred Dwelling with our Whole-Burnt-Offerings and our sacrifices and our Peace-Offerings. “This way, your children won’t be able to say to our children in the future, ‘You have no part in God.” (‭‭Joshua‬ ‭22‬:‭27‬ ‭MSG‬‬)

We all need a witness. We all need stories of God’s faithfulness. Memories we hold onto of where God touched down in our lives. Markers and monuments of God’s saving acts in our lives. I think of the many times I have sat with men and women facing all sorts of difficult trials and so often we look for hope in the stories from their past where God has shown up. The same was true for Israel. Now that the conquest was completed, the tribes of Reuben and Gad and Manasseh were headed home. But as they crossed into their territory, they became concerned that the Jordan River might become a boundary that would eventually separate them from the rest of Israel. So they built an altar as a “witness” that they were all part of one big family. They wanted a monument to remind everyone of their common kinship with Abraham and their covenant with God. They didn’t want to be left out so before they crossed the Jordan to take possession of their inheritance, they made sure to build an altar of “imposing size.” Not for burnt offerings. Not for sacrifices. But as a witness. Every time an Israelite would pass by the monument, it would “witness” to their shared history. 

In the Book of Acts, Jesus calls us “His witnesses.” We are witnesses in our neighborhoods, cities, nations, and to the very ends of the earth. In this way, we are “living” memorials to all God has done. We are “living” monuments to a shared history. A common heritage. A deep connection we share as God’s chosen people. We “witness” to the glory and goodness of God. We “witness” to the unity we share as the family of God. Anytime someone “passes us by” or interacts with us on any level, they should leave having “witnessed” the mercy and grace of God and having felt the deep love we have for one another.

Ultimately, the Bible itself is the pre-eminent “witness.” I love what Joshua 21:45 says, “Not one word failed from all the good words God spoke to the house of Israel. Everything came out right.‬” The only reason we know this statement is true is because we have an accurate record of what took place. This is why we read the Old Testament. Within its pages, God “witnesses” to us over and over again of His great faithfulness and love. Even in the face of our sin. Even in the face of our rebellion. Even in the face of our evil. Even in the face of all our brokenness, God pursues us. God relentlessly chases us. God never lets us go.

Readings for tomorrow: Joshua 23-24, Judges 1